Why It’s Perfectly Okay To Be Alone

Alone. No one likes to hear that word, nor can they stand the thought of being alone in life, or never having someone at their side to be a witness to their lives. Yes, we relish our ‘alone’ time, what we call our ‘me’ time, but who really wants to be truly alone? As human beings we are naturally social creatures that thrive on making connections; it is how we survive.

There is such an ugly stigma that surrounds people who are alone and actually like to be alone. The common misconception is that if you are alone, there is something terribly wrong with you; not true. In order to actually form and make connections, we need to learn how to be alone, and in learning how to be alone, we also need to learn how to be okay with being alone. Learning to be alone means knowing that you can take care of yourself and be independent.

Look at it as an opportunity. An opportunity that allows you to discover who you are, what makes you happy, what inspires you, and what drives you. It also allows you the freedom to try new things. And, if your kitchen sink breaks or your washer overflows, guess who gets to learn how to fix it? You! Being alone helps you realize you have so much more strength and willpower than you ever imagined.

I speak from experience, I used to be someone who was terrified of being alone. However, with time I began to realize that being alone wasn’t a bad thing. I could read a book in one night if I wanted to. If I wanted to blast my music and sing at the top of my lungs I could. If I wanted to lounge around the house in my pajamas all day and watch movies, I could. One of the most valuable lessons I learned in being alone was learning how to love myself and be comfortable in my own skin. I learned what was going to make me happy and what I was passionate about. I discovered my inner strength and confidence.

Here are some tips, according to Develop Good Habits, for how to be alone and be happy in being alone:

Figure out what makes you truly happy

Give yourself a fresh start

Practice self-love

Exercise and create a healthy lifestyle

Find your passion and cultivate it

Step out of your comfort zone (aka try new things!)

Use your alone time wisely

Learn how to appreciate the here and now

Most importantly, accept yourself for who you are

Being alone helps you discover yourself. Whether you are just getting out of a relationship or are struggling with being alone at this moment in your life, realize that being alone doesn’t have to be a bad thing! It’s a chance for discovery and exploration. A chance to get reacquainted with yourself and say “Hello self! Let’s learn about each other for a while shall we?”